There are some people who say that you can't go home again, and there are others who say you can. I'm in the latter camp.

I love it when I can make a visit to my hometown. Sure, I haven't lived there in 16 years, and I don't know nearly as many people anymore, but I still like going home. In fact, I've often told my husband that if we ever had an opportunity to move back, I would do it in a heartbeat. That's how much I love where I grew up.

Today I got to go to the cousins' lunch.

What is this? I'm so glad you asked!

My mom, her siblings, and area cousins get together on the third Tuesday of each month for lunch. They eat somewhere within an hour of everyone so no one has to drive very far. As an educator, I don't often get to attend the monthly lunch due to the school year, but I do get to go a couple of times during the summer. So, I was thrilled when I found out that we would be dining in my hometown of Nebraska City this time.

We ate lunch at Table Creek which is a restaurant that is on one of the golf courses. We had a table of 13 of us. I liked the fact that my nephew, his girlfriend, and their one-year-old son (my great nephew) joined us. So, in my family we had four generations in attendance. I also got to visit with a couple of my aunts and uncles. I just think it's cool how they get together every month, and whoever can make it comes. Then before they leave they decide where they are going to eat the next month.

One of my aunts had pictures of my great aunt and great uncle, and great grandma. They sure brought back memories. When I was growing up, we would visit my great grandma on Thursday nights and she always had food out for us to eat. Even though we already had supper, she would insist that we have something to eat. We're talking makings for sandwiches, plenty of Cheetos and chips, and assorted sweets.

These monthly lunches are a beloved family tradition. Every once in awhile one of us from my generation is able to join in, and I'm hoping when we all retire that we will continue what has been started.

After we all went our separate ways, I drove around town to look at familiar businesses still in operation, places that had been revived from the rubble, and new commerce. As I left I made one more stop on my way home, Union Orchard. It's the only locally owned orchard left and so I always stop there to pick up preserves and, of course, apple cider donuts. I can't come home without splurging on this guilty pleasure!

There's so much to love about being able to go home again. There is certainly the nostalgia, but it's amazing to see the progress and changes as well. For me, Nebraska City will always be home.